SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — Damaging wind and strong storms moved across the ArkLaTex on Tuesday (March 4).
Severe weather started moving into the area just before 4:30 a.m. Several tornado watches were issued, with the latest in effect until 3 p.m.
[RELATED: Bowie County buildings, properties damaged in severe storm; petting zoo piglet killed]
The National Weather Service confirmed a tornado touched down in Caddo Parish just after 9 a.m. near Blanchard, La. Downed utility lines and trees have been reported, as well as some traffic accidents.
In that area, a tree fell on a woman’s home. Thankfully, nobody was injured. Jacqueline Blakes said she was home sitting on her couch when her husband called and told her there was a tornado warning.
A few minutes later, she said, she heard the wind whistling, then saw a strike of lightning outside the window. Blakes went into her bathroom as the wind picked up, then heard a loud boom she thought was thunder. It turns out, that was the sound of a tree falling on her home.
Jacqueline Blakes was home when a tree fell on her house in the Blanchard area during severe storms that moved through the ArkLaTex on March 4, 2025. Another tree fell on her husband’s car.(KSLA)
Another tree also fell on Blakes’ husband’s car, which was parked in the driveway. Her husband, Donnie, just said he’s thankful she wasn’t hurt.
There are reports of roofs having been blown off homes in Minden, La., and DeKalb, Texas. Some buildings also have been damaged in New Boston, Texas.
Here’s some storm damage from Bowie County, Texas, today. Send in your pics here>> https://www.ksla.com/community/user-content/
Posted by KSLA News 12 on Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Reports of overturned trailers and injuries have come in from just outside the ArkLaTex in Camp County. According to the sheriff’s office there, several people were injured at an RV park in the Barefoot Bay Marina area. Homes are damaged and numerous trees are down in the Woodland Harbor area.
Strong wind also led to power outages throughout the region.
At the peak of the storm, SWEPCO said, there were around 29,000 customers without power in the ArkLaTex, the majority of which were in Texas. In particular, the Marshall and Longview areas saw significant outages.
SWEPCO crews are assessing the damage and making repairs as quickly as possible. As of around 12:30 p.m., there still were about 22,000 customers without power. Two hours later, the utility had trimmed that number to 12,902 with the largest number of outages being in Caddo, Natchitoches, Sabine and Vernon parishes in northwest Louisiana and Bowie, Gregg and Franklin counties in East Texas.
SWEPCO estimated it could have more power restored in some areas of northwest Louisiana by 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. No estimated restoration times were giving in some other areas where crews still are assessing the damage.
POST-STORM SAFETY TIPS FROM SWEPCO
- Stay as far away as possible from downed wires and anything they may be touching. Call 911 to report any hazards or call SWEPCO immediately toll-free at 888-218-3919.
- Carefully investigate before cleaning up any debris. Tree limbs, leaves and other objects moved by the wind could hide downed wires.
- Do not attempt to remove tree limbs or debris within 10 feet of a powerline
- If using a generator, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions
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